Redington Zero Review (The 2020 Model)

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If you’re just starting out at fly fishing, you need great gear on a budget! The Zero is a low-cost reel from the well-known Redington brand, coming in at around $80. We wanted to find out whether it’s the best option at this price range, and how it performs out on the water!

In our fly reel review, we’ll take a close look at the features of this reel. If you’re curious to know more about the Redington Zero, read on. Let’s discover if this reel deserves a spot among your fishing gear!

A Quick Overview

The Redington Zero is an affordable fly reel that is suitable for trout fishing on smaller streams and rivers. It’s a simple reel with no bells and whistles, but it works well! Redington first introduced this reel in 2015, with trout anglers in mind.

If you love the thrill of chasing those wily wild trout and finally hooking one, the Zero is the only reel you need. It’s not a reel for big fish, and you shouldn’t expect lots of features for this price. But if you need a functional, durable reel on a budget, it fits the bill.

You can buy the Zero in four different colors: the color sand, avocado, teal, or black. It’s refreshing to see some brighter colors on sale, but you can always go for the classic color black if that’s more your style. The color sand also looks classy with its matte finish and would complement most fly rods well.

The Zero reel is currently available in a size 2/3 or a size 4/5. You can select the one that will best match your fishing set up, depending on the rod and fly line you prefer to use!

Features & Benefits

Let’s take a closer look at the features and benefits that the Zero reel can offer you:

Build Quality

The Zero is a lightweight reel with a large arbor, allowing for quick line pick up. This feature means that when you land something, you can haul in your line fast! Another benefit of the larger arbor on this reel is the reduced line memory. The super-light weight comes from the unique diecast construction process. It’s not possible to produce such light reels from CNC machining, so it really is a bonus that’s rare to come by.

Although this is one of the cheaper reels, you wouldn’t know from the construction. It bears the hallmark of a great Redington reel, and the diecast construction with large porting ensures that it’s as light in weight a reel as can be. The design also makes it simple to switch from left-hand to right-hand retrieve, thanks to the quick-change spool.

The twin-molded, ergonomic handles are a nice touch on the Zeo. They feel comfortable in hand, even for those epic long fishing trips! You’ll have no trouble using this reel all day, and the lighter weight should help prevent any arm fatigue (so you’ll be ready to head out again tomorrow!)

Drag System

The drag system on this reel doesn’t compare against more expensive rods, with very low maximum drag. It has a click-and-pawl drag system, rather than a disc drag system. Disc drags tend to be more consistent and powerful, allowing you to handle bigger fish with ease.

But that’s not what this reel was designed for, so it shouldn’t be a huge problem. Just set your expectations so that you’re not disappointed!

Performance

The Zero reel performs very well when paired with a lightweight rod like the Butter Stick glass rod. If you prefer rods from 2-4 weight, this reel is a great choice. So long as you’re not reliant on the drag, the Zero won’t let you down. It performs consistently and feels sturdy and durable. The larger arbor is excellent, as it allows you to pull that line in at speed. The Zero also offers the advantage of balancing out glass rods more evenly for an effective fishing setup.

Warranty

Just like all other Redington reels, the Zero is fully covered by the lifetime warranty [1]. That means if your reel breaks or stops working, Redington will replace or repair it for you. We all know that damages can occur when fishing; this policy gives you peace of mind to enjoy your fishing without babying your gear! A great call from Redington.

Generally, you can expect excellent customer service from this company. They have a real passion for fly fishing and value their customers! This factor can mean that you’ll have a better experience all round.

Pros & Cons

If you’re in a rush and want to suss out if the Zero is the right reel for you, here’s what you need to know! We’ve boiled down the main points into these essential pros and cons of the Zero trout reel:

Pros:

It’s super lightweight

The large arbor winds in fly line quickly and reduces line memory issues

The Wrap Up

The Zero reel is a top competitor for the best fly reel on a budget. The quality construction, light weight, and large arbor of this click reel all stand it in good stead. It can beat other reels in the same price range, hands down. And with the lifetime warranty from Redington, you know it will last (or they will replace it for you!

If you can’t wait to get out on the water and catch some trout, grab this reel now. The Zero reel is one of the best budget reels out there for fly fishing, and the large arbor allows you to haul in your catches with ease and speed. Pair this with a glass rod like the Butter Stick, and you’ll be all set for a fun day on the river.

Are you looking for something else? Whether you want to check out some more reel options or want to find the perfect fly rod, we’ve got tons of resources for you at Fly Fisher Pro! We aim to help you find top products and fishing gear, no matter what your budget is, so that you can have a lot of fun out on the water!

Ben Kepka

Hey, I'm Ben, a fly fisherman for over 20 years and also an aspiring blogger. I've been into fly fishing since my graduation from spin fishing when I was 12 years old. I started flyfisherpro.com to help introduce as many people into this amazing sport. Tight lines everyone! You can read more on our about page here.

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